Honda boosts Insight fuel economy by lengthening start-stop ability?

Honda has not yet given up in the entry-level hybrid fight. There's the new, not-for-U.S. Jazz (Fit) Hybrid, for one thing, but the older Insight hybrid isn't being left in the dust, either. Autocar reports that some of the lessons from the Jazz are being applied to the Insight – most importantly that the "stop" time of the Insight's stop-start cycle can now be up to 90 seconds long in Eco Mode.

Because of "obscure patenting reasons" that made the system assume a worst-case humidity situation, the previous limit was just 30 seconds. This change can save a lot of gas in city driving. There are no new mile-per-gallon numbers to tout just yet, and the change isn't likely to affect America's EPA figures (the government agency's test cycle doesn't recognize the benefits of start-stop), but it's a nice, green upgrade nonetheless.

Honda has also apparently adjusted spring rates and made changes to the rear camber angles, the V-shaped rear suspension brace and adjusting mounts for a "better driving experience," explains Autocar. Wonder why Honda felt this was important?

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Anonymous

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

@ Sabastian, the Prius' advantage isn't its ability to drive on the battery, which is the least efficient senario for a hybrid in most cases. Rather, the advantage lies in its greater combined power output, more efficient atkinson cycle ICE, the ability to run HVAC with ICE off, & easier to achieve glide mode ( ice & electric propusion off ). So, in theory if Honda's revision allows for earlier ICE off & easier / more consistent glide, it could result in significant real world mpg gains.

Anonymous

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

bwzd7p2, I must be missing your point somehow. You're arguing about an application, while Sabastian commented on a technology. Was Honda's hybrid system right for the current Insight? That's very arguable either way. Is it an inadequate or inherently inferior drive technique? Absolutely not. It's proven to be extremely effective and very elegant in its simplicity.

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

It also drove it in one of the smallest cars ever sold. In the current Insight, it's nowhere near as efficient as the slightly larger Prius. Matter of fact, in the city, where hybrids usually shine, it does worse than the much larger Ford Fusion. Sounds half-assed to me.